I just bought a website theme and i want to host a little forum where i guess a total of 600 people will be.

[Salihajj]

I just bought a website theme and i want to host a little forum where i guess a total of 600 people will be.

I've bought the theme already for 85$ and are going to buy my own domain.

Should i then buy cloud or just the software?

 

[Max Taxable]

I'd go cloud if I were new to this stuff.

 

[Brogan]

That's a decision only you can make.

With a self hosted license you will be responsible for installation and upgrades (unless you pay for those services), and hosting fees.

With Cloud that's included, as well as all of the XF add-ons.

 

[Mr Lucky]

I just bought a website theme

Can you explain what sort of theme? I

 

[Nicolas FR]

Self hosted

Cloud

 

[Tracy Perry]

Not really... in 8 years of running CentMin on CentOS (and now AlmaLinux) I've never had an issue....
If one is experienced with Linux, then it's not a big issue. Hardest thing is logging in regularly and running cmupdate and the OS updates... and I guarantee you that bang for the buck, the self-hosted "gets you there". 🚬

Now, if you don't want the "hassles", and don't mind spending the extra money for removing those "hassles"... then the SaaS solution is better.
There are still hassles involved no matter which solution you choose. Email is one of the simple ones.